‘Rice Up’ for street kids launched

MANILA, Philippines - Chicken Charlie, one of the fastest-growing food chains in the country, partners with Virlanie Foundation for “Rice Up for Street Children,” which solicits uncooked rice for the foundation’s 13 homes, mobile unit and open day center.

The Rice Up campaign recognizes a cupful of rice not only as a staple of every Filipino meal, but also as a special carbohydrate that contains essential amino acids and vitamins that supports the mental and physical development of a child. In the Philippines, where millions live below the poverty line, many children are denied even this fundamental nourishment, resulting in a rising number of malnutrition cases.

Chicken Charlie recently held a party at the Virlanie Drop-In Center in Makati. Chicken Charlie crew and popular bloggers shared a meal of fried chicken and rice with 50 children and spent the afternoon in playtime.

Every year, Virlanie goes through at least 600 sacks of rice, providing the kids under the foundation’s care with three meals a day as they strive to provide a better future for underprivileged children. So far, the foundation has helped over 13,500 children through their homes and programs within and outside Metro Manila.

For more information about Virlanie’s Rice Up Campaign, log on to http://www.virlanie.org/.